[citation needed] The authority has regulatory responsibility for safety, emergency preparedness and the working environment in petroleum-industry activities in Norway, both on land and offshore.

[3] The PSA was established on 1 January 2004 as an independent, governmental supervisory body, partitioned from the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate.

There shall be a balanced consideration between the PSA's role as a high risk/technological supervisory body and as a labour inspection authority.

Participation and cooperation between the parties are important principles and integral preconditions for the activities of the Petroleum Safety Authority Norway.

[citation needed] The PSA also coordinates supervisory responsibility with Norway's national Health Examination Survey (HES).